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lea_talisa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This was great! It was also absolutely heart breaking and sad but through all of that I loved the story of Cora and Dean.
Normally we get to see kidnappings in books only as another thing happening to make the plot more interesting and often the aftershocks aren’t even mentioned. I love that in this book the main focus is actually on these effects after the kidnapping. There’s deep trauma, overwhelming emotions and feelings of betrayal. But there’s also new found trust, hope, love and most importantly healing.
I loved accompanying both Cora and Deacon along their own and very different ways of coping. It’s a rollercoaster going up as much as down always trying to find balance with each other when in the end they find balance in their own selves.
There are a lot of setbacks and the book ends with a Happy Ever After.
There are a lot of setbacks and the book ends with a Happy Ever After.
This story touched my heart. There were parts I could hardly get through and was near tears praying for the characters to find a way out of their misery (during as well as after the kidnapping).
Check the trigger warnings on this one! Most of it is graphic and this is definitely not a lovely romance where “love conquers all”. Though there definitely are some parts like that the majority of this book is about trauma and healing; together as well as alone, yet always supported.
I’m sure I’ll be thinking about this book a lot even a long time after I’ve read it. This is just the kind of story that sticks to you through its darkness and personal connection.
Quotes (maybe contain minor spoilers?):
„We are bound, chained, tied—to our trauma and to each other.
We’re in this together.“
„My whole life I’ve been terrified of the ocean. I’ve been scared of being dragged down into a cold, dark sea, swallowed by waves, clutching my chest and gasping for air.
But this sea is not made of water.
And maybe drowning is the only way out.“
„The only thing I wanted more was to see her smile.
I wanted to see her glowing and thriving and truly living her life.
I wanted to see her just like this, just like she is right now, happy and healing and learning to love herself again.
So, it’s all been worth it“
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, Rape, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Murder, Miscarriage, Animal death, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Grief, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, and Infidelity
sammba's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Self harm, Miscarriage, and Alcohol
giuliaathenalombardo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
What I found very special about this book is how after the main characters are released from captivity, you are also able to see how they deal with the trauma they have faced, together and individually. This book was not sugar coated, it clearly showed how life-changing events like abduction and rape can be and how large a toll they can take on mental and physical health.
However, it also shows how if you surround yourself with supportive, kind and loving people, who have your best interest at heart, the feeling of loneliness can be alleviated and you can, with their help but also due to your own willpower, grow and develop as a person.
Although this was a rough read, I loved the dynamics between the characters and really enjoyed the writing and structure of the novel.
However, it also shows how if you surround yourself with supportive, kind and loving people, who have your best interest at heart, the feeling of loneliness can be alleviated and you can, with their help but also due to your own willpower, grow and develop as a person.
Although this was a rough read, I loved the dynamics between the characters and really enjoyed the writing and structure of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Cursing, Death, Rape, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Miscarriage
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